The WebSlides below demonstrate the dynamics of the NING and how it has allowed us to pursue our talents as writers. I have highlighted certain aspects of the NING which communicate our dedication to our goal. You will see:
· each writer’s page
· my teacher’ page complete with comments, discussions, and blogs
· student blogs
· a students commitment to her story
· Comments illustrating their commitment to other writers as peer editors(scroll down the page to see comments)
· Kenzie’s page to illustrate the power of blogging and inspiring people to create new ideas
· Melinda’s page to show how a third grader becomes exposed to a writer’s world by starting small but powerful.
· Linked wiki page highlight avenues for publishing their work to authentic and real audiences
The Evolution of Aspiring Writers
An Enhanced Purpose Initially my purpose was to develop a community of writers and assist them with techniques and development of storytelling. However, I wanted to honor their uniqueness and specific needs. By allowing students to self select their topics and formats, we opened something larger than I envisioned.
NING transformed the teacher-to-student instruction to a community of learners, experts, and experimenters. Students showed and used their talents to help others by providing feedback on what they knew about specific writing formats and styles such as narrative storytelling, character development, or poetic techniques. Student asked for assistance in creating more voice and expression in play scripts, point-of-view options on narrative writing, developing a believable character, and rising actions and suspense. Using this tool allowed students to showcase their work to an authentic audience.
As a community we reflected on how to make the NING work for us, and designated certain web 2.0 tools for specific purposes. We used the blog feature to publish, edit, and revise, and resubmit revisions. We utilized the forum to add discussions on writing topics, techniques, and tools as well as mini-lessons or resources for writers. From a teacher’s perspective, I once again witnessed how technology can be seamless integrated into a content area and provide an enriching experience for students to express their ideas.
As We Speak and Future "Aspirations"
Aspiring Writers simulates a writer’s life by building, relying on, and supporting a network of similar talents to produce a polished and published pieces. The requirements for all students participating in Aspiring Writers is to take one written piece to professional publication. Currently, my students are evaluating different publishing sites or companies that tailor to their specific formats.
Future ideas for our Aspiring Writers Community include opening our community to middle school and high school students as mentors for our younger writers. Their writer’s life can be shared and reflected upon by younger kids aspiring to be writers. Mentors will be able to expand their critical thinking skills by relying on their prior knowledge of developing a polished piece and sharing their strategies with a younger audience.
In addition to deepening our audience, I would like to integrate Ether Pad Beta into the Aspiring Writers experience. I would love to have students work on a project collaboratively and simultaneously and then publish their drafts on Aspiring Writers for critique and feedback. This will strengthen student’s creative thinking and on the spot problem solving as well as utilizing their knowledge of story creation to develop a captivating read.
Project Link
----
The WebSlides below demonstrate the dynamics of the NING and how it has allowed us to pursue our talents as writers. I have highlighted certain aspects of the NING which communicate our dedication to our goal. You will see:
The Evolution of Aspiring Writers
An Enhanced Purpose
Initially my purpose was to develop a community of writers and assist them with techniques and development of storytelling. However, I wanted to honor their uniqueness and specific needs. By allowing students to self select their topics and formats, we opened something larger than I envisioned.
NING transformed the teacher-to-student instruction to a community of learners, experts, and experimenters. Students showed and used their talents to help others by providing feedback on what they knew about specific writing formats and styles such as narrative storytelling, character development, or poetic techniques. Student asked for assistance in creating more voice and expression in play scripts, point-of-view options on narrative writing, developing a believable character, and rising actions and suspense. Using this tool allowed students to showcase their work to an authentic audience.
As a community we reflected on how to make the NING work for us, and designated certain web 2.0 tools for specific purposes. We used the blog feature to publish, edit, and revise, and resubmit revisions. We utilized the forum to add discussions on writing topics, techniques, and tools as well as mini-lessons or resources for writers. From a teacher’s perspective, I once again witnessed how technology can be seamless integrated into a content area and provide an enriching experience for students to express their ideas.
As We Speak and Future "Aspirations"
Aspiring Writers simulates a writer’s life by building, relying on, and supporting a network of similar talents to produce a polished and published pieces. The requirements for all students participating in Aspiring Writers is to take one written piece to professional publication. Currently, my students are evaluating different publishing sites or companies that tailor to their specific formats.
Future ideas for our Aspiring Writers Community include opening our community to middle school and high school students as mentors for our younger writers. Their writer’s life can be shared and reflected upon by younger kids aspiring to be writers. Mentors will be able to expand their critical thinking skills by relying on their prior knowledge of developing a polished piece and sharing their strategies with a younger audience.
In addition to deepening our audience, I would like to integrate Ether Pad Beta into the Aspiring Writers experience. I would love to have students work on a project collaboratively and simultaneously and then publish their drafts on Aspiring Writers for critique and feedback. This will strengthen student’s creative thinking and on the spot problem solving as well as utilizing their knowledge of story creation to develop a captivating read.